Fact Sheet

The First Focus Campaign for Children is committed to advocating for passage of immigration reform that addresses the specific needs and interests of children. On April 17, 2013, the bipartisan Senate “Gang of Eight” introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744). While the bill as currently drafted represents a historic step forward for children in immigrant families, the bill also falls short of protecting the rights of children and families and ensuring access to critical safety net programs. On May 9, 2013 the Senate Judiciary...

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifts more than a million children out of poverty every year. This fact sheet recommends a CTC "baby bonus" — doubling the CTC for children up to age five. Investing in a child's first few years of life pays off in improved academic performance, which sets the stage for success throughout adult life. And, as this fact sheet details, even modest investments can make a big difference.

A December 2012 First Focus analysis by Urban Institute researchers Julia Isaacs and Olivia Healey paints an alarming picture of the economic reality facing America's children five years after the recession began. Their paper also notes that federal investments in children have avoided even greater harm. This companion paper offers specific policy recommendations for Congress and the President to strengthen protections for kids.

As Congress continues to debate how to move forward on current Farm Bill proposals, First Focus Campaign Children has released a document that compares the current U. S. Senate passed legislation, The Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 (S.3240) with the U. S. House Agriculture Committee passed bill, The Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012 (H.R. 6083).The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) are two critical child nutrition programs that are reauthorized through Farm Bill legislation. With nearly one...

Earlier this spring, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an FY 2013 Budget Resolution that included devastating cuts to essential health coverage programs for children. Most notably, the plan eviscerates Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through dramatic cuts totaling $1.4 trillion. This fact sheet details key provisions of children's health coverage the House budget would cut.

The Help Separated Families Act (H.R.6128), introduced by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), aims to keep families together and reduce the number of children in foster care as a result of immigration enforcement. The bill prioritizes keeping children with their families and out of the public child welfare system whenever possible and ensures that separated families receive appropriate care and due process.

H.R. 6181, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by lead sponsor Congressman Richard Neal (MA-2), would extend critical, but expiring, improvements to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) through 2013. This bill will preserve these key credits for 13 million families and 26 million children nationwide.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides over 20 million children with nutrition assistance, greatly reducing child hunger in America. A proposed amendment would restrict SNAP eligibility for 4.5 million eligible U.S. citizen children living in mixed-legal status families.

An April 2012 First Focus analysis by Brookings Institution scholar Julia Isaacs finds that one-in-ten children has been or is at risk to be affected by foreclosures, putting their health, development, and academic potential at risk. This companion paper recommends specific actions Congress and the Administration can take to help families avoid foreclosure, find quality, affordable homes quickly when foreclosures happen, and deliver the help children need to blunt the harms resulting from foreclosure.

The definition of "homeless" used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development denies more than 700,000 homeless children the help they need. The U.S. House of Representatives' Financial Services Committee is considering legislation to fix that problem and improve government's response to the growing problem of child homelessness. Read why we've endorsed the Homeless Children and Youth Act.A diverse coalition is working to reform this outdated policy. Partners includie children's advocacy organizations like The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth,...